Contact Information: CONTACT: CARA WADE 501-202-2500
LITTLE ROCK, AR--(Marketwire - October 22, 2009) - BAPTIST HEALTH now has a new surgical
alternative to hip replacement, offering new hope to people who have hip
osteoarthritis symptoms and want to return to their active lives. The Birmingham Hip
Resurfacing™ (BHR) procedure involves reshaping the head of the femur
(thigh bone) and capping it with a smooth metal ball, similar to capping a
tooth. With a quicker recovery time, the procedure offers an
alternative to hip replacement surgery, where the worn bone is cut away
and a metal stem is placed inside the femur. The Birmingham Hip implant is
intended for patients suffering from hip pain symptoms due to
osteoarthritis, dysplasia or avascular necrosis, and for whom total hip
replacement may not be appropriate due to their increased level of physical
activity. From a recovery standpoint, those who have had the Birmingham Hip
Resurfacing procedure generally are out of the hospital sooner and
regain mobility faster than those who have traditional hip replacement. At
about four weeks, most BHR patients have regained a nearly full range of
motion compared to five to six weeks for those who have had a total hip
replacement.
Hip resurfacing is the ideal solution for many 40 to 60-year-old active
patients who suffer from hip pain and are looking for an alternative to hip
replacement. Baby-boomers are changing the way society looks at aging by
remaining more active longer than their parents did, and they are demanding
that the medical establishment keep pace.
BAPTIST HEALTH's Orthopedic Centers of Excellence, in conjunction with
OrthoArkansas in Little Rock, are proud to be able to provide this service,
since there are only a handful of orthopedic surgeons in the country who
are able to perform the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing™ procedure that
conserves bone, provides greater stability and increases range of motion.
BAPTIST HEALTH is the most comprehensive healthcare system in Arkansas.
With more than 175 healthcare locations, BAPTIST HEALTH is committed to
delivering "All Our Best" in healthcare to the people of Arkansas.
For more information regarding BAPTIST HEALTH and the Birmingham Hip
Resurfacing™ procedure or any BAPTIST HEALTH service, call BAPTIST HEALTH
HealthLine at B-A-P-T-I-S-T (227-8478) or 1-888-B-A-P-T-I-S-T, or visit our
web site at www.baptist-health.com.
